Optimality Constraints and Hierarchies in the Analysis of Foraging Strategies

Abstract:
This thesis covers both a theoretical analysis of optimal foraging theory and empirical studies of antlion foraging behavior from the perspective of the costs and benefits of foraging. Foraging behavior covers different hierarchical time scales and the time scales will in turn influence how we think about the functionality of these behaviors. Chapters include an analysis of the biophysics of antlion pits (here focusing of the functional aspects of a tool antlions use to capture prey), an optimality approach to partial prey consumption by antlions, and a more general approach to foraging under time constraints using dynamic programming models.

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